Vehicle Theft in Elmhurst Ends in Glendale Heights After Multiple Crashes

A Chicago man is in custody after allegedly stealing a truck in Elmhurst, fleeing police and causing multiple crashes before he was finally captured in Glendale Heights on Tuesday.

Police were told at about 11:35 a.m. Jan. 3, that a truck with Al's Hobby Shop stickers on the rear had been taken from the 300 block of North York Street. Officers spotted the vehicle at North Avenue and Maple Street, at which point the suspect crashed into a police car, then continued westbound on North Avenue.

One officer was taken to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries related to the crash.

Elmhurst Police aborted pursuit, and all surrounding municipalities were provided information. The offender drove through Villa Park and other towns and caused at least six traffic accidents. 

Kendrix Cooper, 31, 5611 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago, was finally apprehended in Glendale Heights. He was transported to the Addison Police Department to be processed, then to the Elmhurst Police Department.

Cooper was charged with fleeing and eluding, aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated reckless driving, criminal damage to state-supported property, and hit and run resulting in personal injury and property damage. Numerous other charges are pending in Glendale Heights and Addison.

Cooper was taken to DuPage County Jail.

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